Timbers to enter 2012 U.S. Open Cup in Third Round May 29

PORTLAND, Ore. — U.S. Soccer today announced possible pairings for the third round of the 2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The Portland Timbers will face the winner of the second-round matchup between Cal FC (U.S. Adult Soccer Association) and the Wilmington Hammerheads (USL PRO) in the third round on Tuesday, May 29.

The outcome of the second-round match between Cal FC and Wilmington will determine the Timbers’ third-round opponent on May 29. With a victory by Wilmington, the Timbers will travel to take on the Hammerheads at Legion Sports Complex in Wilmington, N.C. at 4 p.m. (Pacific). A win by Cal FC and the USASA club will travel to the Rose City to play the Timbers at JELD-WEN Field at 7:30 p.m. (Pacific).

Cal FC and the Hammerheads meet in the second round Tuesday, May 22, in Wilmington at 4 p.m. (Pacific).

All 16 United States-based Major League Soccer clubs, including the Timbers, enter the 2012 U.S. Open Cup in the third round. The 2012 tournament marks the Timbers’ first U.S. Open Cup competition as an MLS side; the club participated in the U.S. Open Cup seven times as a second-division club from 2001-10.

The 2012 U.S. Open Cup, the 99th edition of the tournament, began with a 64-team field, which is the largest in the modern era (1995 to present), on May 15, with 32 amateur teams opening play in the first round. For the first time, all Division I, II and III professional clubs, totaling 32 clubs, are participating in the tournament proper. The 2012 tournament marks the first time since 2006 in which all U.S.-based MLS clubs are participating in the U.S. Open Cup.

The U.S. Open Cup, a single-elimination tournament, has crowned a champion for 98 consecutive years beginning in 1914. Every winning team’s name is engraved on the base of the Dewar Challenge Trophy, which dates to the first year of the tournament and resides at U.S. Soccer House in Chicago.

The 2012 champion will earn a $100,000 cash prize, while the runner-up will collect $50,000. The top Division II, Division III and amateur clubs will each receive a $10,000 prize.